Thyroid Cancer: the Caregiver Dilemma

If you're caring for a loved one with thyroid cancer, you can take steps to avoid physical and emotional exhaustion. Keep burnout at bay by incorporating some simple strategies into your day-to-day life.

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Being the primary caregiver for someone with thyroid cancer — no matter how dearly you love that person — can cause emotional and physical strain.

Your loved one’s thyroid cancer probably has forced you to make stressful visits to doctors and radiology facilities, while you see to it that the house is clean, the bills are paid, and the patient’s personal-care needs are met. And then there are the draining emotional issues you’re facing: the fear, the unknown, the anxiety.

As director of survivor programs for the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, Greta E. Greer, MSW, LCSW, knows the story well. “The evidence in the medical literature is growing stronger and stronger that caregivers are at great risk of ignoring their own health needs — physically — and also for developing depression,” she confirms.

But burnout isn’t inevitable, Greer says. There’s much you can do keep healthy, avoid stress, and by extension, provide even better support for the person with thyroid cancer under your care.

Thyroid Cancer Burnout: Eat Right

“Caregivers tend to let their diet go,” says Greer. Planning is a crucial part of the solution. If you know you’ll be eating on the go as you accompany your loved one to radiology appointments, for instance, plan accordingly. Stock up on granola bars, crackers, and trail mix, making sure the brands are low in saturated fat. Bring a few choices with you each day. If you find yourself at an institutional cafeteria, avoid the comfort foods and opt for lots of fresh fruit and salads with low-fat dressings.

Thyroid Cancer Burnout: Exercise

Even if you were in the healthy habit of visiting a gym several times a week, such routines may fall by the wayside when you become a caregiver. “But you can and should make time for something as simple as walking,” Greer says.

Many studies show the benefits of walking regularly — say, 30 minutes a day. It may reduce your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and osteoporosis, and it should help you sleep better at night. And fortunately, given a caregiver’s schedule, the walks need not be 30 minutes all at once: You can take a 10-minute walk three times a day and still derive benefits.

Thyroid Cancer Burnout: Socialize

“Caregivers tend to deny themselves time with their own friends,” Greer notes. And that can be very detrimental: Enjoying time with friends actually boosts your body’s production of the “feel-good” biochemicals, the endorphins and enkephalins, which will make it easier for you to be a better caregiver.

Thyroid Cancer Burnout: Lose the Guilt

It's common to feel guilty about leaving your loved one home to go out and have a little fun. "But you shouldn’t,” says Greer. “My colleagues and I always try to encourage caregivers to take care of themselves, and that includes having fun. Besides, most survivors intuitively know that the person who’s their major support, the person is who caring for them, needs to be well — emotionally and physically — to do the best they can.”

As a caregiver, you need to keep these strategies in mind and incorporate them into your daily routine. You may be reluctant at first to leave your loved one’s side, but you’ll come back refreshed, and that will be good for both of you.

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